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What makes the Ryan Pressly trade look worse for the Chicago Cubs, other than the fact that he was designated for assignment with two months left on the season, is the fact that the Cubs had to convince him to approve the trade. Beyond a desire to close games for the Cubs, Pressly also had reservations about leaving Houston.
Perhaps, for the Cubs' sake, those reservations should have been a little stronger. Rejected by the Cubs, Pressly may be eyeing a return to Houston. With the dust clearing from the MLB trade deadline, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Astros are considering bringing back their former trusted reliever.
"The Astros are weighing the possibility of bringing back reliever Ryan Pressly after he was released by the Chicago Cubs. They passed on the idea of trying to re-acquire Justin Verlander at the deadline."
Cubs offseason reject could soon land where he was happiest
Pressly returning to Houston wouldn't be the first time this season that the Astros have brought back one of their own after they failed with the Cubs. Cubs' 2024 free-agent bust, Héctor Neris, is back with the Astros and has a 3.00 ERA through 9 appearances. You may have spotted Neris with the Astros over the weekend, who seemingly accused the Boston Red Sox of stealing signs.
Pressly's failed run with the Cubs does speak to a larger issue with Jed Hoyer's approach to the deadline this season. The additions of Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Rogers, while needed, were moves that had to happen because of Hoyer's failed offseason gamble on Pressly. Even Willi Castro, another needed deadline move, was added because of the failed offseason gambles on Vidal Bruján and Jon Berti.
While other teams went from good to great at the deadline, because of the offseason mistakes, the Cubs were only able to go from good to good. That difference is why the Cubs thwarted an opportunity to become a World Series contender with the moves they weren't able to make at the deadline.